Dragonwings — Laurence Yep

For all his eight years, Moon Shadow has lived with his mother and grandmother in a small village in China. One day his simple, quiet life is turned upside down. Moon Shadow suddenly finds himself sailing to America to start a new life in a strange new land with a man he has never met -- his father!

Life in America is very hard. Moon Shadow must learn new customs, a different language and new ways to deal with strange people. But most of all, he must learn about his father. He quickly grows to love and respect this special man who dreams of building a flying machine. Together father and son work to realize their dream -- to have Dragonwings soar through the air.